St. Paul's began its 140 year history quite simply, with congregants meeting under a grove of walnut trees on the Howard County side of the Patapsco River as early as 1867. While the great flood of 1868 washed away most of Sykesville's Howard County structures, the young congregation continued on the site. In inclement weather, Sabbath School moved into a large frame building opposite the cotton factory. Patapsco Circuit riders provided pastoral leadership.